*Have an author's party.
*Write a class book, include title and dedication pages, index, etc.
*Do a research project on Animals. Make a poster and research paper then take a field trip to celebrate.
*How to make a Peanut Butter Sandwhich is always fun.
*Write about what they know about Black History and how they feel people should behave towards each other. Read a story first.
*Do a short book report. Model what should be included.
*Do a persuasive paper about something that matters to them (ie, Last year the students wrote to convince SnowBall (rabbit) to come back to class instead of staying home...long story).
*Write V-Day Cards including Poetry for a Nursing Home (other poster's idea).
*Read a short story. Have them write a continuation to that story.
*Write a persuasive paper to convince the teacher that their favorite t.v. show is worth watching (maybe even record and bring it for the top winners as a prize along with popcorn).

By the way...I wanted to add some things you can do during an author study just to make it more clear. We read a bunch of Ezra j. k books and then we pick apart all the wonderful things he does in his writing. Like using ellipses, repeated words on a page, using dash words(s-l-o-w-l-y). We also make a "craft chart" to keep track of all the things we are learning to do. Then the children try it in their own writing. I am actually using Lucy Calkins Units of Study and I love doing writing workshop!!!!!
Good luck!

We are required to teach the following genres: personal narrative; procedural (how-to); non-fiction (all-about book); poetry. We can expand these into memoir, literary non-fiction, author's studies as the kids are able. Again, Lucy Calkin's Units of Study are very helpful.